‘Hand of PKK’ in Istanbul blasts, suspect arrested

According to the official Anadolu news agency, Turkish police have arrested a man in connection with Sunday’s bomb blast on Istanbul’s famous Istiklal Avenue. At least eight people were killed and 81 others injured in this “terrorist attack”.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told the news agency on Monday that a suspect had been arrested, who detonated a bomb in the busiest part of Turkey’s largest city.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier described the attack as “treasonous”, which “smells like terrorism”. He said that initial reports suggest that a woman was involved in the attack.

Justice Minister Bakir Buzdagh while talking to the media said that a woman was seen sitting on a bench in Istiqlal Avenue for about 40 minutes. As soon as she got up there was an explosion. “There are two other possibilities, the bomb may have been placed in a bag which exploded or it was detonated by remote control,” he said.

“Our preliminary investigation has revealed that the terrorist organization PKK is behind the blast,” Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu said. Addressing the press conference, he said, “From the initial intelligence report, it seems to be a terrorist incident.” Turkey: How many attacks were there during a year?

Turkish Vice President Fouad Oktay later said he believed it was “a terrorist attack”, involving a woman. According to Anadolu news agency, five people have been appointed to investigate the explosion.

Several world leaders have expressed regret and condolence over the deaths in the bomb blast in Turkey. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed condolences with his Turkish counterpart, saying, “My prayers are with the victims and their families. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. In this hour of grief I am with the German people with the citizens of Istanbul and the Turkish people.” German Foreign Minister Annalina Bierbock also expressed her condolences over the deaths.

“We express our deepest condolences and sympathies to all the victims whose loved ones have been left behind,” the White House said in a statement. The statement added that the United States stands side by side with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on Twitter. “We are with the Turkish people. Today we also remember our people who were killed on November 13, 2015,” he said. The attacks were alluding to attacks on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris and other venues seven years ago, which ISIS claimed responsibility for.

“We share your sorrow. We condole with you and we stand with you in the fight against terrorism,” he said. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement that Saudi Arabia strongly condemns this terrorist attack in Istanbul.

It should be noted that there was a suicide blast on Istiqlal Street in 2016 as well, in which four people were killed and 39 others were injured.